MLS Cup Playoffs down to the conference championships

The MLS Cup Playoffs have reached the conference championship stage following a dramatic midweek of second-leg action in the conference semifinals. The race to this year’s MLS Cup title is wide open after top seeds San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City surprisingly fell at the ‘last eight’ hurdle.

It sets up two intriguing conference championship series, and having witnessed high drama in the MLS postseason to this stage, the excitement of these playoffs may be set to continue. Action begins on ‘Remembrance Day’ Sunday with the first-leg matches.

In Houston, Texas, the Eastern Conference Championship begins with fifth seed Houston Dynamo looking to put another postseason run together when they host second seed D.C. United - who dramatically defeated New York Red Bulls in the semis - at BBVA Compass Stadium. Sunday’s first leg kicks off at 1 p.m. PT and can be seen live on MLS LIVE.

The series will then return to Washington, D.C., for the decisive second leg at RFK Stadium on Sunday, November 18. Kickoff is also set for 1 p.m. PT and can also be seen live on MLS LIVE.

The Western Conference Championship is a mouthwatering affair, as fourth seed and defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy meet third seed Seattle Sounders FC, who will play in a conference championship series for the first time in club’s brief MLS history.

The first leg of this highly-anticipated contest will take place at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California, on Sunday night at 6 p.m. PT and can be seen live across Canada on TSN2 and RDS2.

The series will then head north to The Emerald City for the decisive second leg at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington, on Sunday, November 18. Kickoff is also set for 6 p.m. PT and can also be seen live across Canada on TSN2 and RDS2.

The conference champions will then meet in the 2012 MLS Cup final on Saturday, December 1, at 1:30 p.m. PT. The final can be seen live across Canada on TSN and RDS. The final will be hosted by the club that finished the regular season with the most points in the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings.